Specialist teams could reduce rate of suicides

SPECIALIST teams of medical experts must be drafted in to deal with the 10,000 people admitted to hospitals after attempting suicide each year, the Psychiatric Nurses’ Association (PNA), urged yesterday.

Liam McNamara, of PNA, said senior medical consultants were calling for dedicated teams to be provided - with over 8,500 cases of deliberate self-harm presenting straight to accident and emergency wards.

“As previous self-harm is a major risk factor of subsequent suicide, providing a high standard of care for those who harm themselves could help reduce the rate of suicide,” Mr McNamara told delegates gathered at the PNA annual conference in Tralee, Co Kerry.